Senior News

At some point, almost every family has to make decisions about the care of an elderly parent or relative. Ideally, the elder has been thinking and perhaps even talking about what he or she wants to do when the time comes to transition into a more supportive environment. Sometimes, the decision is crisis-driven, forced upon a family when the parent has an injury or declining health and can no longer remain safely at home.

Many Options to Choose From

Not too long ago, the choices facing a family were limited to caring for the elder in their own home or moving the parent into a rest home or nursing home. Today, things have changed for the better with literally dozens of options available. Among them are: private nursing and daily assistance in the elder’s home, adult day programs, retirement homes (such as Goddard House), continuing care communities, assisted living residences, rest homes (such as Homestead Hall), and skilled nursing facilities.
According to Margaret Naylor, Executive Director of Goddard/Homestead in Worcester, “It is important for those who have to make these types of decisions to shop around. They should not only find out what services available, but also visit the facilities.”

Learn the System

Central Massachusetts elder care consultant Carol Seager, owner of Carol Seager Associates, Inc., echoes this recommendation, and adds, “Regardless of where their search takes them, it is important that they learn the system.”

Noting that she works mostly with the elders’ children, the geriatric care manager recommends knowing such things as what Medicare covers, and what is an independent living facility, rest home, assisted living facility.

“When they have to select a place to live,“ she continues, “they should also check on such things as the staff, food, cleanliness, and the continuity of staff or management. And if possible, they should talk to people who live there.”

Many Resources Available

Ms. Naylor points out that the task of choosing the right situation for an elder can be daunting. “Many families don’t know where to start. The information available can be overwhelming.” She recommends using the many resources available, including social service agencies, such as Elder Services, Office of Elder Affairs, or Jewish Family Services; physicians; clergy; elder law attorneys; social workers; private geriatric care managers; and the Internet. “For those families that simply don’t have the time to navigate the system, they may want to consider hiring a geriatric care manager to help them sift through the choices to find the right one for their parent.”

“There is no one choice that is perfect for everyone. The challenge is to find the right match for both the elder and family. It takes some effort, but the end result is that, hopefully, all parties are happy with the decision.”

Some Health Care Options for Elders

Home Care: Elder remains at home and contracts privately for personal care and homemaking services as needed.

Adult Day Programs: Elder lives at home, but receives care and socialization in a structured day care program 2 – 7 days a week.

Retirement Home: An independent-living community for seniors who need no assistance with personal care. Some services, such as meals and activities, may be provided.

Assisted Living Facility: Similar to a retirement home, with a limited amount of personal care given, 3 meals a day, and medication reminders.

Rest Home: Supportive housing for elders, who do not need ongoing skilled nursing. Personal care assistance, all meals, and medication dispensing are included.

Nursing Home: Long or short term care for people who require extensive personal and nursing care.

This article was published in the Fall 2005 issue of “G&H Times,” a publication of Goddard/Homestead, Inc. For permission to reprint this piece, contact:

Goddard/Homestead
1199 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610
Tel: 508-753-4890
email: mpn@goddardhomestead.org

It is a fact of life that as we get older, our bodies change too. Our eyes don’t work as well, our balance isn’t what it was, and our legs and arms don’t feel as strong and steady as they used to. So, as we age, it’s important that we take a good look at our homes and make sure they continue to be safe, comfortable places for us to live in.

Mary-Rita Peterson, RN, BSN, of the Auburn Visiting Nurse Association, says when visiting an elderly client at home, she usually does an informal assessment of the space to check for safety risks. “It’s hard in the home setting. You have to respect their lifestyles, but still need to address safety issues.”

Mary says she looks for things like torn or loose carpets that could cause tripping. She also notices the pathways through the house, looking to see if they are clear and wide enough. “We’re dealing with a generation that has their life’s belongings around them, especially figurines. I make sure that they are not going to run into them, knock them down, and then fall.”

Physical concerns, such as lighting, stairways, railings, and carpets are the most obvious to see and deal with. However, Mary says that changing habits and behaviors are important too. She recommends that elders pay attention to what they wear on their feet around the house. “It is important that footwear is on and that the elder is not walking around in socks or slippers. They often will wear the slipper socks that the hospitals give them, but those are not adequate for home. They should wear low, even heels, and it is important that their shoes fit.”

In addition, Mary advises elders to be aware of prescription side effects. “The majority of elders are on a lot of medications with side effects, most of which cause light headedness or dizziness when they get up.” She says elders should avoid sudden position changes and practice dangling. “To avoid falling when getting out of bed or a chair, they should come to the edge, dangle for a few minutes, and then move.”

Helping elders safely maintain their independence is a delicate balance for caregivers and health care providers. “You can’t go in and be a judge of people’s lifestyles and expect rapid results,” explains Mary. “You have to educate and help them modify their environment so they can live more safely in their environment – that includes the family and others involved in their care.”

The Caregiver’s Guide, a comprehensive resource for elders and their families, contains a complete home safety checklist. To obtain a free copy of the guide, please call Elder Services of Worcester Area at (508) 756-1545.

A Basic Checklist for Elder Home Safety

• Easy safe access to home: stairs, ramps, elevators, railings
• ‪Lighted stairways with treads and safe height/width
• ‪Clearly marked emergency exits
• ‪Easy-to-read emergency phone numbers and phone
• ‪Working, up-to-date smoke detectors
• ‪Electrical cords removed from walkways
• ‪Safe use of space heaters
• ‪Non-slippery throw rugs
• ‪Secure railings
• ‪Clear pathways through house
• ‪Bright lighting with easily-reachable switches
• Grab bars in bathroom
• Safe medication storage
• ‪Moderate water heater temperature
• Overall cleanliness

This article was published in the Fall 2006 issue of “G&H Times,” a publication of Goddard/Homestead, Inc. For permission to reprint this piece, contact:

Goddard/Homestead
1199 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610
Tel: 508-753-4890
email: mpn@goddardhomestead.org

Researchers around the world are slowly, but surely, uncovering the mystery behind the disease. Yet, despite these advances, there is still no cure for this debilitating illness that occurs in 10% of people over age 65 and in 50% of those over age 85.

Debra Katt-Lloyd, Regional Coordinator for the Northeast/Merrimac Valley office of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter, says health surveys reveal that dementia and memory disorder are a big concern for people. “(They’re) up there with cancer and heart disease. Because of the limited treatment, Alzheimer’s disease is seen as still being less controllable.”

The Alzheimer’s Association, however, gives people hope through its consumer education campaign, Maintain Your Brain^®, which emphasizes lifestyle habits that may reduce the risk or prolong the onset of the disease. “There are things we can control and that’s what the program is focused on,” explains Ms. Katt-Lloyd. “It’s helping people make the connection that what’s good for you from the neck down is also good for you from the neck up.”

Maintain Your Brain is based on scientific research, but is also common sense: a healthy diet, regular exercise, daily mental stimulation, and frequent social interaction not only help to keep your body healthy, but may also keep your brain functioning normally longer.

So what does this mean for you in your daily life? Well, it means mother was right: you should eat lots of vegetables and fruits, especially those with dark skins, such as spinach, broccoli, beets, blueberries, strawberries, and oranges, because they are high in antioxidants. A low fat, low cholesterol diet reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, encourages good blood flow to the brain, and helps you maintain a normal weight – all of which are beneficial for brain health.

Exercise is another way to get blood to your brain. Experts today say that you don’t have to adopt a strenuous exercise regime to reap valuable health benefits. You just need to get moving. Take the stairs, walk during lunch hour, work in the garden, take a yoga class. Just 30 minutes of physical activity daily will not only make you feel good, it will encourage the growth of new brain cells.

“Use it or lose it” may sound alarming when referred to your brain, but it seems to be true. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “research has found that keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells and connections.” Reading, writing letters, doing puzzles, playing card games, having hobbies, and taking classes are all examples of ways you can stimulate your mind.
Last, but not least, brain health is maintained by regular social interaction. In fact, a recent study showed that “leisure activities engaging people physically, mentally, and socially were the most likely to prevent dementia.” Generally, people are happier and healthier when they interact with others in enjoyable and meaningful ways, such as clubs, church and social groups, volunteer organizations, and, of course, family gatherings.

At Goddard House and Homestead Hall we encourage residents to practice brain-healthy habits by providing nutritious meals, regular exercise sessions, mentally stimulating activities, and lots of social opportunities. On any given day at Goddard House residents can be seen playing pool, using the computer, walking the halls for exercise, working on a crossword puzzle, or enjoying an informal cocktail party. Elders living at Homestead Hall especially enjoy “walks” down memory lane, craft activities, and country drives.

Ms. Katt-Lloyd, who is a Maintain Your Brain Master Trainer, says that these healthy habits can be started at any time. “It’s never too late to have some benefit.”

This article was published in the Spring 2006 issue of “G&H Times,” a publication of Goddard/Homestead, Inc. For permission to reprint all or part of this piece, contact:

Goddard/Homestead
1199 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Tel: 508-753-4890
email: mpn@goddardhomestead.org

Brain-healthy Lifestyle Choices

Eat wisely – Research suggests that high cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell damage. A low-fat, low cholesterol diet is advisable. Also, there is growing evidence that a diet rich in dark vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain cells.

Stay physically active – Physical exercise helps maintain good blood flow to the brain, which is essential for brain health and also alters brain chemicals that help protect the brain.

Keep mentally active – Mentally stimulating activities strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, and may even create new nerve cells.

Remain socially involved – Social activity not only makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce stress level, which helps maintain healthy connections among brain cells.

Information used in this article is courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, visit www.alzmass.org.